Overpayment as a freelancer

vboy

Hi All,

I am not sure what to do with this and so hope to get some advise please.

I have been working as a freelancer for a client and I submit my invoice after each task and get paid by end of every month. I donot have any contract with them and so can easily say that I am not interested in working anymore with them with no notice period. But I get paid directly to my bank and I pay my taxes for this amount.

I recently noticed that they have made over payment by twice the amount I am suppose to be paid.

My question:

1) Can they claim it back legally or ask me to pay it back or make me work those additional hours to compensate that pay?

Thanks in advance
Vboy

mynameistallulah

Yes, they can make you pay it back. You could of course make it far easier for everyone and advise them of their mistake and give it back.

whitewing

So you are talking about an overpayment that went into your acct at the end of June then?

You need to email the company and let them know, and see what they say. Do not even think of keeping it.

suited-aces

You could try to keep it, then be forced to pay it back plus their legal costs, or you could volutneer the information and repayment to it now, and not blow your chances of ever working for them again.

Slinky

Tell them about their mistake and pay it back.

Do you want to be coming on here in a few months time complaining because your current employer gives you a bad reference when you try to get your next contract? Why would anybody want to employ you if they can't trust your motives.

PlutoinCapricorn

Your reputation is very important: sooner or later this mistake will be discovered and it looks much better if you tell them first. At the very least, it shows that you check things.

heretolearn_2

Your client accidentally overpays you and all you are thinking about is finding some way to hang on to the extra money or can they 'force' you to give it back. I've never heard anything so ridiculous. Supposing you bought something from a supplier and you accidentally sent them two payments for it. Would you expect them to keep quiet about this? Would you expect to have to 'force' them to return it presumably by taking you to court? You should be perfectly happy to let them keep it...

So
honesty means nothing to you
good working relationships mean nothing to you
working with this client in future means nothing to you
getting work referred by this client means nothing to you
this client recommending you means nothing to you
your professional reputation means nothing to do
being taken to court means nothing to you

Seriously, don't expect to be in business long if this is your attitude.

Coming here for advice on how you can steal a client's money. Disgusting.

Uncertain

heretolearn wrote: »

Coming here for advice on how you can steal a client's money. Disgusting.

Just who the hell do you think you are?

The OP, in his first ever post on here asks politely "Can they claim it back legally or ask me to pay it back or make me work those additional hours to compensate that pay".

In no way do I read that as "How can I steal the money"!

The correct answer is yes providing they do so within six years (five in Scotland).

Had the legal answer have been no then he wouldn't have been doing anything wrong (legally) so wouldn't have been stealing!

It is also reasonable to point out (as five others have done in slightly more measured tones) that failing to do so would be morally wrong and poor customer relations.

OP, my advice would be to point it out to the client and to issue a statement showing them to be £XX in credit. If you are continuing to work for them then it is unlikely they will ask for a cash refund as it will balance out in the end. However, if they do want a refund you will have to do so.

whitewing

Uncertain wrote: »

Just who the hell do you think you are?

The OP, in his first ever post on here asks politely "Can they claim it back legally or ask me to pay it back or make me work those additional hours to compensate that pay".

In no way do I read that as "How can I steal the money"!

Sorry Uncertain, but I didn't read the OP as he wanted to pay it back if he could possibly get away with it.

mynameistallulah

Uncertain wrote: »

Just who the hell do you think you are?

Someone got out the wrong side of bed this morning!

paddyrg

The simple solution is this - you call the client and say 'Just been preparing the monthly statements of account, and it looks to me like you may have paid some money on account - for simplicity's sake, would you like to leave that money on account for when you need me next time?'

Ok, they may ask for the cash back in which case write a cheque with a smile, however offering to hold it on account against their next invoice suggests an alternative which may get you more work!